Lakers Support Players Accused of Sexually Harassing Elderly Woman and Daughter

LOS ANGELES, CA - Saying there are various interpretations of what occurred, a spokesman for the Lakers said today the team supports players Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson and believes their description of what happened during an alleged roadway confrontation with an anti-sexual harassment activist and her mother.

"We've looked into the situation and spoken to (activist) Alexis Jones as well as to Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson," team spokesman John Black said. "Based on these conversations, our conclusion is that there are different interpretations of what happened.

"We support Nick and Jordan and believe what they told us about the incidents and their actions," he said. "We also are supportive of Alexis and her feelings about what happened, about women's rights and the fine work Alexis is doing with her organization."

Jones, co-founder of the nonprofit organization I Am That Girl, told ESPN she was in a vehicle with her 68-year-old mother around 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of La Brea and Melrose avenues when a Jeep with four men inside pulled along side them. She said the men began making "vulgar, sexual" gestures toward her mother.

"We were in a small car, and they were in a big Jeep, and it was a bunch of big dudes," she told ESPN. "They're leaning out of the car and making vulgar, sexual gestures. My mom was really shocked."

Jones took pictures of the men and posted them on her Instagram account, and viewers quickly identified two of the men as Young and Clarkson.

There's been no direct response from Young or Clarkson. The Los Angeles Times reported that Young appeared to refute the allegations on his Twitter page, writing, "Aye if you want some attention take a pic of me and say anything next to it and post ... The world we live in." The Twitter post was later deleted.

Jones told ESPN she received a call from Black on Monday morning, and he apologized on behalf of the team and discussed the possibility of having her speak to the team or to Young and Clarkson. She said she was "inspired" by the way the team had responded.

Black said today he has had "several conversations with Alexis and her publicist and tried to arrange a meeting between her, Nick and Jordan."

"Unfortunately, Alexis' schedule didn't allow for this to happen yesterday," Black said. "We will also continue to stay in touch with her about the possibility of addressing our team about the important issues with which she's involved."

Jones' organization is dedicated to empowering young women and instilling in young men "the importance of respecting the girls and women in their lives."

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons